second job - vent

Pollycat

This sounds a pretty interesting situation, I hope the OP comes back and answers some of the questions posed.

Evilm

phoodless wrote: »

My contract at work clearly states that I have to declare any other work (paid or unpaid) outside of my main employment.

I think this is due to them wanting to remain within the Working Time Directive guidlines?

Also potential conflict of interests. If for example your first job is with a gov department and your second is with someone who would be putting in a tender with them that could lead to accusations of insider information or favoritism.

However in this case it doesn't sound like a conflict of interest but that doesn't mean that if the contract says you can't have a second job that it is unenforceable.

Pollycat

We could speculate endlessly but I think we need to hear the answer to this question:

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

As you were working at the petrol station before you started at the "main job", did you make them aware of this when you were interviewed or at any other time before your employment began?

I hope this isn't just a rant that, after the poster has got it off his/her chest, is never updated.

It's much more interesting (imho) than most 'vents' posted on this board.

fluffnutter

As others have posted, theoretically your 'main employer' can legally place restrictions on you regarding any other employment you might have. However, they'd have to have good reason for this - conflict of interest, tiredness impacting your ability to do your work etc. If the situation is as you post (and I've no reason to dispute this of course) I think an employment tribunal would be very likely to rule in your favour if you were sacked because of your second job.

However... I don't think it will come to this. I'd get a little formal about things. I'd ask for a justification, in writing, of why this second job was impacting the first. I'd ask for proper evidence of poor performance, conflict of interest etc. It's my belief that beyond the most vaguest of replies, your employer simply won't be able to provide this. Don't panic and don't be bullied into immediately quitting your second job. It's pretty difficult to fire someone in this country. Simply holding a second job won't be enough (I don't think but I'm not an expert).

Do you belong to a union? If you do, I'd certainly seek union support. Or try the ACAS website; they might have some useful information. Finally I'd get a bit cheeky. Something along the lines of... "I take this second job to supplement my income. If you're happy to increase my wages to compensate for the loss of this second job, I'm happy to stop doing it".